Ludwig II of Bavaria The Swan King

This is the critically acclaimed and intensely gripping biography of the "Mad King of Bavaria, " Ludwig II who was one of the most enigmatic figures of the 19th century. An eccentric man with rare imaginative genius, he is remembered for his patronage of Richard Wagner and for the fabulous palaces he built. True to his passions, he stirred a burst of creativity from artists, yet neglected Bavaria's political interests. The author investigates the rumors of the king's madness and homosexuality and pieces together the story of his downfall.